The Portland daily press., 1887-11-16
SPARKS RESIGNS.

SPARKS RESIGNS.
His Disagreement with His Superior
Question of Law.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15.-Land Commits.
sioner sparks personally rendered his resign
alton to the President this afternoon, ac-
companying it with a letter defending his
course in the Chicago, st. Paul, Minneapolis
and Omaha land grant case. In conclusion he
says: "It is but just to say that the publish
cd communication addressed TO me, and laid
before you is no answer to my letter apply
ing for review. The issue raised by he was
strictly one Of law, and the presentation OF
the issue was strictly in the line Of legal
argument In the letter addressed to me
that issue was not met. The effect has been
} 70 create an erroneous impression that the
issue was one of authority alone, and that l
refused TO execute the Secretary's official or
ders. This diversion of the issue from one
II legal construction to one of authority and
insubordination, is a substitution of force
for argument, and a diversion of the pubic
mind from the merits of the case, and If not
lCoiotou Dl mt III blio pitccutdllUu W you,
would be suppression by that power of
the proper considerate effort on my part, as
Commissioner of the General Land Office, to
secure in the public interest an impartial
hearing before the Secretary of the Interior
on purely legal question affecting the ad-
ministration of the Office with which | am
charged. The Office of the Commissioner
General of the Land Office has been one of
intense labor, imposing constant sense of
high responsibility. Having sought it at
your hands, have continued to hold it only
out of a sense Of duty, with view to effect
ing some good to the public, and l have en-
deavored TO discharge my full duty in it, in
the lace OF many disc0uragements and much
calumny and abuse from those whose in
terests were to defeat the policies pursued.
have believed the line of action correct,
and thought had reason for the belief that
It met your approval If these decisions
foreshadow change in the official policy on
THIS subject, knowing well what this will
mean in the practical application l could not,
OF course, with my sense of duty be an in
strument to the effect of the change. Having
ever as now, regarded the commission hold
from you as the subject to your recall,
and desiring to relieve you of any possible
embarrassment, l herewith tender you my
resignation of the Office of Commissioner of
the General Land Office, and ask its early ac-
ceptance."
Driven Wells.
bless the justice of the Supreme Court of the
United States, when they learn that the So
called Iowa driven well cases" have been
decided against the alleged owners of the
patent. In his opinion, reversing the pre-
vious, decisions of the court, Justice Blatch-
ford says that it appears in the record of the
present case for the first time that the driven
well was used in Cortland, N. Y, before the
patent to Green was applied for. This in
yalidates the patent, and will prevent the
further collection of royalties. The agents
Of the successors of the original owner of
the patent have been very active during the
past few months in collecting the royalties
alleged to be due them, in spite of the fact
that the life OF the patent has expired. 1t is
said by some of the attorneys who represent
the men who have been resisting the patent
owners that within the past six months
thousands of farmers in Iowa, Indiana,
Michigan, New York and other States have
been forced to pay royalties to avoid sum-
monses to appear before the United States
courts many miles away from their homes,
and that as recently as two weeks ago notices
were served upon the users of driven wells
that they must pay the amounts demanded
II they would avoid suit for infringement.
This threat has generally been sufficient to
force the farmers to pay, although few
have resisted.
Hopkins In Court.
The case of Sherburne Hopkins, the young
man who sent a bogus internal machine
through the mail to Chief Justice Waite,
came up in the police court to-day. He was
charged with an attempt to defraud news
paper correspondent by selling him bogus
item Of news. After argument by counsel
the information was, at the suggestion of the
prosecuting officer, quashed, and Hopkins
left the court. The prosecuting officer said
he would file new and stronger inform
alton.
Mr.. ConkIing In Court.
The United States Supreme Court chamber
was more crowded yesterday morning than
on the day when the case of the Chicago
Anarchists was tried. The attraction was
the expected appearance of Roscoe Conkling,
who had been retained in the Virginia
habeas corpus case. Mr.. Conkling always
has big audience when he comes to Wash
ington, no matter where he talks or what he
talks about. When he was senator, the
announcement that he was to speak served
to fill the galleries. Now when he comes to
talk about the law the crowds are even
larger. He has quite an extensive practice
before the patent office, and comes here fire.
quently flor day or two. He generally
makes his arguments before the examiner of
interference This official sits in a small
room which becomes crowded to suffocation
five minutes after Mr.. Conkling begins to
speak,
Mr.. Conkling's argument was listened to
attentiyely, but his great oratorieal powers
were not exhibited, as he confined himself
to dry statement of his case. He reviewed
the proceedings which resulted in the fine
and Imprisonment of Attorney General
Ayres and Commonwealth Attorneys Scott
and McCabe, and maintained as matter of
law that the action of Judge Bond was un-
warranted and illegal.
Democrats Talking Tariff.
Speaker Carlisle, Congressman Brecken-
ridge and William r. Morrison are holding a
tariff conference here to-day. Messrs.
Carlisle and Breckenridge are in favor of a
compromise This will concede to protec-
tionists the repeal of the tobacco tax, if the
protectlonists in return will concede gen.
eral reduction of tariff duties. For Mr.
Morrison it may be said, that while he is
willing to advocate such an arrangement, he
has no hope of its success. Ihave tried
compromises with Mr.. Randall" said he,
land never found him willing to accept a
compromise in good faith. His tariff reduc-
tion bills always increased the tariff, and
you can't expect one from him that will do
anything else"
As to the attitude of the President and
Secretary Fairchild, the doubt is only in re-
gard to the details. Mr.. Fairchild went to
New York, last evening, with his report in
such shape that it can be completed in a
few days, and it is said that he made some
direct suggestions in regard TO tariff reduc-
tions. Exactly what they are is still a sub
ject of speculation, but after the Oak View
conference there cannot be any question as
to their direction. Mr.. Cleveland will. of
course, recommend a reduction, and free
traders here will make their work and in
fuence felt in what he says.
Up With Its Work.
Mr.. Watkins, Assistant Secretary of the
Interior, states that for the first time in the
history of the department, the pension ap-
peal cases pending before the board of ap
pealS of the Interior Department are dis
posed of and the current business is up to
date.
Pensions Awarded.
Pensions have been awarded Maine people
as follows:
James S. Mariner, Dutton Hill, Gray.
Annie M, widow of Edgar Paul. Belfast
Nancy, widow of Alexander Ludwig, Camden
John ID. Davis, Rumford, original.
Jordan G. Carvile. Lewiston, original.
Albion Mills, North Haven increase.
William ID. Randall, West Mills, increase.
Samuel Cochran. Calais, increase.
David HainaQ West Gardiner